FYI for everyone following this thread.  I just received my "kit" Friday.  It looked as if there were a thousand parts.  Really only a 100 or so.  Went together without problem.  What Precision!!!  Everything fit just right - no slop.  After a few adjustments it seems to be ready to start playing.

Good Morning,
It's exciting that this discussion continues to be one of the most popular destinations in the forum.  It represents one of my proudest achievements in the entire history of the FOG.

I'm always talking about how this forum is meant to inspire connections and creativity.  Well, the Jointmaker Pro effort embodies all those principles.

I've always wanted to tell the whole story behind this effort.  Seems like now might be a good time.  Here's how it all this came about...

When the Jointmaker Pro was first mentioned on the FOG, I was fascinated with the concept.  It was clear that the tool struck a chord with members here.  From that, I decided to reach out to John at Bridge City Tool Works, invite him to our forum, and encourage him to post.  He was reluctant at first, for good reason: he had seen a lot of negative stuff in other forums against people who do things differently.  But over the course of many e-mails, John finally saw that the FOG was in line with his principles and he did join some of our discussions.

From there, I worked with John to forge a stronger connection between the FOG and Bridge City Tool Works.  I had a feeling something more was possible.  From those conversations, we developed the idea of having an FOG member travel to the Bridge City Tool Works factory to see and use the Jointmaker Pro.  We worked out all the details, then announced it here.  Eventually, Roger was chosen as the one to do the trip.  After continued offline coordination, John and I arranged all the details of the trip.

It was wonderful knowing that a talented woodworker like Roger was actually travelling to meet and work with a creative outfit like Bridge City Tool Works.  Like everyone else here, I was excited to see what Roger would say.

After the trip, I continued to work offline with Roger and John on the next big part: put together a report on the trip, complete with photos and documentation.  I helped Roger with all the technical details of reserving post space, posting photos, organizing materials, and publicizing the discussion.  At the same time, I was working with John over at Bridge City Tool Works to help him gain positive publicity for his company through the discussion.

I've written to John and Roger offline on occasion to help keep up the interest in this subject, and to keep the update posts coming.

Right now, if you do a search for "Jointmaker Pro" on Google, the Festool Owners Group comes up as one of the top hits.

This stands as one of the most viewed discussions on the forum.  It serves as a potential model for other kinds of connections.

Stay in touch,
Matthew

If anyone ever gets one of these and is not happy or just decides it is not for them I would give the original purchase price for it.

I just can no way afford the current pricing. Even though I could use it for work it is to much for me right now.

John if you ever get a broken set up or return or refurb that is not perfect for a lesser price let me know. I would be glad to show it on my web site as a featured tool used to make my inlays, once I get a system down for it that is.,

Thanks for the install video Roger!

Roger,
Thanks for the additional posts.  I would love to see more people using this and reporting back on their projects.
If John Economaki ever has the time (I know he's got to be incredibly busy) it would be great to hear from him.
Thanks again,
Matthew

Thanks Roger for that video.  I used it last night to make sure the blade was square to the tables.

Mine arrived this week and it took about two hours to assemble it one evening.  The instructions were very straight forward.   

I have only done a few practice cuts but am amazed with the fit and finish, and overall accuracy.  This saw will take some getting used to with the blade cutting up. I already have two cuts on my hands from forgetting that!

Will report back as I work more with it. 

neil

I just got my shipping confirmation today. I hope to have it here early next week. I'm looking forward to this!

I have never cut myself with router, table saw or chainsaw.  I did manage to nick myself with a bandsaw.  Probably for same reason you cut yourself with the JMP.  The blade becomes almost invisible.  It makes no noise and even while looking at it, it is doubtful one would think of it as imposing enough to do much damage.

I have used a "mental" approach to using new tools that I have not been familiar with.  Even tho confident, i go thru dry runs with the equipment turned off.  I think about the dangers and go thru the operation with great thought about how to do every move without getting my hands into danger.  i think about what not to do and then go thru motions avoiding mentally the "what not to do's". 

When I zipped into my finger with the bandsaw, I first shut down machine, then checked and applied necessary bandaid.  Nothing major, just a slight nick into the tip of finger nail and skin at end of finger. Once bandaid was applied, I manually went thru every problem i could think of for cutting >>> with BS turned off.  Even now, after several years use, I still go thru the motions ocassionally just to keep me thinking.  I no longer have a table saw in my shop, but if i do return one to the shop, I will go thru the motions as if i had never used one in my life.

i think something like that would be appropriate for new users of the JMP.  It is so much different in technology and operation, as well as the blade being motionless and noisless, I am sure we will hear of others cutting themselves with the first few uses

I am sure many of us have watched "Nahm" brush the Tablesaw top with his hands so close to the spinning blade before he makes a cut.  My heart is in my mouth every time I see him do that. (and he does it so often it is plainly a habit he will probably never break) I even yell at him.  My wife thinks I am crazy.  Oh well. She has known me long enough that she knows for certain>>> that's another story     I just don't think that is a great example to be showing any newcomers to WW'ing.  If I had a guy working for me and caught him doing that, he would be gone the second time I caught him at it.  I give him the two times as by the time he did it the second time, his ears would still be ringing from the first time.  there are just so many ways to get hurt with any kind of machinery.
Tinker

Hi Roger,
How is the Inca Radial arm saw working out?  I joined here a few weeks back and have gotten a lot out of it. It was cool seeing your name pop up, so I just had to say hello.
Matthew Jones

"Jointmaker Pro - Keel Assembly"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEpzYJq73l4